FOSTERS NEEDED! Find out more here >
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In this section:
Requirements For Adoption
Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue appreciates your interest in adopting one of our rescued dogs. Areas Served:
Adopting a Puppy:
Adopter’s Minimum Age:
Current/Past pet care requirementsCanine:
Feline
NOTE: Adoption Donations:
This donation helps defray the cost of veterinary care given to your dog prior to adoption. This care includes some or all of the following (but not limited to): all vaccinations, heartworm testing and treatment if needed, preventatives for heartworms, intestinal worms and fleas, fecal testing and deworming if needed and surgery for spay/neuter. Your adoption donation also helps feed and care for other dogs waiting for an adopter and is NON-REFUNDABLE. There are five steps in our adoption process.STEP 1: Submit an ApplicationThe Adoption Application will let us know a little bit about you, your home, your lifestyle, and what you are looking for in a canine companion. The application will ask for several kinds of references. Please let your veterinarian and/or landlord and references know that we will be calling, and they have your permission to speak with us. ***Please remember, we are all volunteers working around our schedules. The approval process can take up to a month to complete and there may be periods of time you do not hear from us. Please be patient while we are working to process your application.*** Please note:
STEP 2: Perform a Reference CheckOnce you have submitted your application a BCGSR volunteer will call your landlord (if applicable) as well as your personal and veterinary references. STEP 3: Conduct a Home VisitFollowing a check of your references, a BCGSR volunteer will contact you to arrange for a Virtual Home Visit. During this visit, the volunteer will need to meet all members of your household, your pets and will virtually walk through your home and yard. We will discuss the adoption process with you, answer any questions you may have, and discuss the dog in which you are interested. After the home visit is completed, the volunteer will submit a Home Visit Report to BCGSR. At that time, a decision will be made to either accept or deny your application. BCGSR is a breed specific rescue and reserves the right to be particular about the homes that are selected for our rescued GSD's. Please note:
There are no guarantees you will adopt the dog for which you submitted an application. There may be multiple applications for that dog and the dog may have been adopted by the time your application is approved. Or, that dog may not be a good fit for your family situation, e.g., the dog may not be good with children or other dogs, not handle houses with stairs, or one of many other situations. We want each dog to go to a home best suited to that particular dog to assure a lifetime, loving home that is trouble free. STEP 4: Find the Right DogOnce you have been approved as an adopter, arrangements will be made to put you in touch with foster parents to arrange meetings with a compatible dog or to meet the dog at Shelzsmide K9s dog training facility in Naples, FL to see if you and the dog are compatible. A great way to meet more than one dog is to attend a local adoption event. Foster parents know their foster dogs better than anyone. Communicating with the foster parent of the dog of choice is appropriate. If the dog in which you are interested is not local, you are expected to drive to meet the dog. That could result in you bringing the dog home the same day but is not a guarantee. Most meetings will take place at Shelzsmide K9s, Naples, FL. STEP 5: Introduce the Dog in Your HomeWe understand that you may not be sure how a dog will work out to fit your family’s needs, without bringing it home first. We offer suggestions to make sure the dog becomes a suitable family member. Training is necessary for German Shepherd Dogs. If for any reason you cannot keep your adopted dog, you must return the dog to Big Cypress German Shepherd Rescue. If you have traveled to obtain your dog, it is expected that you will return your dog in the event that it does not work out. Our goal is to place the right dog in the right home, but there is an adjustment period for every adoption and is referred to as our Two Week Shutdown. The foster parent of your dog or a BCGSR representative will contact you to find out how things are going. If you have any questions about our process please contact us. |